Counterbalance Forklift Training
According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration policies, anybody who operates a counterbalanced lift truck should have training. Training for these kinds of industrial machines comprises both hands-on driver training and classroom training. Refresher training is required occasionally to keep driver skills up to date. OSHA does not indicate a required minimum time for either the classroom or hands-on training.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
A counterbalanced forklift balances its load with a counterbalance built into the truck. The forks move up and down parallel to the body of the truck. The tines do not pivot. Operators who drive counterbalanced forklifts must receive training about the specific trucks they would be utilizing and in a similar workplace surroundings.
Classroom Training
The lift truck operator will learn the basics of the model of lift truck they will be using in classroom training. They will learn info regarding the lift trucks specific things like weight, load and height capacity. The driver will be taught the basics of charging or fueling the lift truck, which depends on whether the engine is gas-powered or battery-powered. Safety measures regarding the particular forklift, such as how to safely walk around the forklift, would be covered.
Supervised Driving
Driver training will be supervised to make sure that the driver would know how to correctly use the counterbalance lift. This practical training would happen in the same kind of environment in which the operator would be working. The operator would train on the same kind of terrain with the same sorts of nearby buildings and other structures, as well as similar vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Refresher Training
Counterbalance lift truck operators are required by OSHA to take a regular refresher training program. Nevertheless, there are no specifications as to the frequency at which a driver requires this training. However, for regular drivers, refresher training programs must comprise classroom-style training.